NFL Player News

The Chiefs moved Watson (groin) to injured reserve Wednesday.

Watson likely picked up the groin injury in last Sunday's loss to the Titans, and the Chiefs likely thought it best to shut down the cornerback for the season. With its playoff hopes dashed, the team is likely looking toward next season. Watson will end the 2025 season with 64 tackles (42 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and six passes defensed for two interceptions through 15 games.

The Chiefs activated Johnson (shoulder) from injured reserve Wednesday.

Johnson opened the regular season on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury he sustained in a preseason game in August, but his activation from IR puts him on track to make his 2025 regular-season debut against the Broncos on Thursday. The 2022 seventh-rounder could step into a prominent role in the Chiefs' secondary for the final two games of the regular season, given that Trent McDuffie (knee) and Jaylen Watson (groin) were both placed on injured reserve.

Sampson (hand) was limited at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Sampson, who last suited up in Week 14, didn't practice at all last week, so his return to practice -- albeit in a limited capacity -- bodes well for his chances of returning to the lineup Sunday against the Steelers. If Sampson is available this weekend, he'd have an opportunity to claim a key role in the Browns' Week 17 backfield, which will also include Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders, with Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) now on injured reserve.

The Chiefs moved McDuffie (knee) to injured reserve Wednesday.

McDuffie has been struggling with a knee issue that caused him to miss consecutive games, and the Chiefs have decided to shut the former All-Pro down for the year. Officially out of playoff contention, the team likely does not want to risk further injury to one of its best players by rushing him back for relatively low-leverage games. McDuffie will end the 2025 season with 63 tackles (45 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and seven passes defensed for one interception through 13 games.

Austin (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Austin injured his hamstring during the Steelers' Week 16 win over the Lions and was not cleared to return. The fourth-year wideout has worked in more of a rotational role at wide receiver over the past three weeks, but his absence would be detrimental to a Steelers offense that is already without DK Metcalf (suspension) for the final two games of the regular season. Austin will have two more opportunities to return to practice ahead of Sunday's AFC North tilt against the Browns.

Helm (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Helm managed a toe issue ahead of the Titans' Week 16 win over the Chiefs, when he caught two passes (on three targets) for nine yards while playing 71 percent of the team's offensive snaps. His ability to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday indicates the injury isn't considered serious, and he'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation and avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints. Helm has established a nice rapport with rookie quarterback Cam Ward in the six games since the Titans' Week 6 bye, with the duo connecting for 23 catches (on 28 targets) for 169 yards and one touchdown over that span.

Goedeke (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Goedeke likely suffered the ankle injury in last Sunday's loss to the Panthers. The right tackle's ability to practice at the start of the week means he is on track to play in Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The 27-year-old will have two more chances to upgrade his practice participation and potentially avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game.

Wirfs (toe) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Wirfs likely suffered the toe injury in last Sunday's loss to the Panthers, and it remains unclear whether the issue is severe enough to prevent him from playing. The standout left tackle will have two more chances to upgrade his practice participation and dodge an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Kancey (pectoral) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Kancey has been on injured reserve since the Buccaneers' Week 2 win over the Texans. The defensive lineman was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and was immediately able to log a limited practice. Immediate practice participation bodes well for the 24-year-old, but he will likely need to practice fully by Friday to avoid an injury designation and play in Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Burden (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

This marks Burden's first official on-field work since he suffered an ankle injury Week 15 against the Browns. He may need to upgrade to full participation Thursday or Friday in order to avoid a designation ahead of Sunday's game at San Francisco, but he appears to be a better bet to return to action Week 17 than fellow WR Rome Odunze (foot), who remained sidelined at practice Wednesday.